“Sharing the Cure for an Empty Heart”
John 4:1-42
Sermon Series: “Getting Acquainted With Jesus”
Introduction: Rebecca Manley Pippert has written, “Christians and non-Christians have something in common: We’re both uptight about evangelism.” However, the fact that it is a challenge for many of us does not remove the responsibility to share Jesus with others. Dr. James Merritt writes, “A truth that needs to be emphasized to every true born-again believer in Christ is this: All Christians have been charged with the responsibility and the task of personal evangelism. For the believer, evangelism is not an option; it is an obligation. It is not a choice to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed. It is not a gift; it is a responsibility. In fact, one of the marks that a person is truly a disciple of Christ is an interest in, and a practice of, personal evangelism.
Charles Spurgeon said in a sermon, “Some of you good people, who do nothing except go to public meetings, and Bible readings, and prophetic conferences, and other forms of spiritual dissipation, would be a good deal better Christians if you would look after the poor and needy around you. If you would just tuck up your sleeves for work, and go and tell the Gospel to dying men, you would find your spiritual health mightily restored, for very much of the sickness of Christians comes through their having nothing to do. All feeding and no working make men spiritual dyspeptics. Be idle, careless, with nothing to live for, nothing to care for, no sinner to pray for, no backslider to lead back to the cross, no trembler to encourage, no little child to tell of a Savior, no greyheaded man to enlighten in the things of God, no object, in fact, to live for; and who wonders if you begin to groan, and to murmur, and to look within, until you are ready to die of despair? Let us have practical Christianity.”
In addition to being our God and Savior, Jesus is also our example and teacher. Last week, we saw how He filled the Samaritan woman’s empty heart. However, He has also called us to share that cure with others. Jesus said, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:17). Let’s learn the following truths from Jesus’ example so we can effectively share the cure for an empty heart with others.
1. The Methods of Evangelism
Follow the leading of God (v. 4).
Love all people [non-prejudiced] (v. 9, 27).
Meet people where they are (v. 7).
Communicate in a relevant manner (v. 10-14).
Have a real conversation with people (v. 7-26).
Earn credibility by your life (v. 16-19).
Stay focused on the main issue-Jesus (v. 26).
2. The Message of Evangelism
Salvation is the gift of God that provides internal satisfaction and eternal life.
We are broken and empty apart from God because of our sinfulness. Jesus did not offer her the cure when she asked but when she admitted her sinfulness.
Jesus is the cure. He is the only way to God because He is God who died for sinners and rose again.
Salvation is received by repentance of sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. The Motivation for Evangelism
Fulfilling the will of God (v. 31-34). We should regard God’s will as a higher priority than physical and material things and be willing to sacrifice.
The Urgency of the Need (v. 35). There are multitudes that need Jesus right now. They empty and headed to hell. When we say “later,” we are not saying what Jesus said. Someone has said, “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity.”
The Joy and Reward of Sharing in the Reaping of the Harvest (v. 36-38). Heaven rejoices over the salvation of a sinner. We should too (Luke 15).
Conclusion: Are we going to share the cure or let others eternally die without Jesus?
